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Muslim Politician Dies In Helicopter Crash

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA — A Muslim politician often called the "kingmaker" was killed along with 14 others Saturday when a Sri Lankan air force helicopter crashed into a hill and exploded, officials said.

The Mi-17 helicopter was flying between the capital Colombo and Ampara, 130 miles to the east, where Ports Minister M.H.M. Ashraff was to attend election meetings.

Police ruled out the possibility that the helicopter had been shot down by Tamil rebels, who are fighting to establish a separate homeland in Sri Lanka.

"The probable cause is a technical failure," said Commodore Lal Perera, director of Air Force Aeronautical Engineering.

Ashraff formed the National Unity Alliance Coalition representing all communities in Sri Lanka and led its main constituent, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, which he formed in 1981 to represent the country's minority 1.1 million Muslims.